Ash stayed in Sassi for a while.
He was determined to train and learn many things first before going to Drogo's headquarters. And he finally discovered where his Defense Stat was located!
His Defense Stat would only appear in the System if he activated the Shield from his wristband. If the Shield was not active, the Defense Stat would not be visible in his System Stat.
Every day he read all the books and notes about skills, magic, and everything he found in Sassi.
Every day he trained tirelessly, trying to master almost all the weapons in the Sassi Hunters' training ground.
However, he did not forget to search for the item from the second Quest stage. He believed that the items would return to their original places because those who took or had them were no longer alive.
And sure enough, he found the last item, The Forgotten Key, hidden under a stone that formed a fountain in the middle of the town.
With that, the System officially announced his level up and his transition to Stage 3.
[Player: Ashborn Locke]
[Player Number: #23875]
[Level: #4.4]
[Stage 3:
Quests:
The Player must find a hidden treasure from the Ancient Titan of Hell, in Mount of Ignivor.]
Looking at his Game Map, he felt frustrated again. Mount Ignivor was very far from his current location.
And what's even more frustrating, in this game, training won't increase any levels, whether it's Stat, Skill, Profession, or Player Level.
Only by obtaining items or killing other players or creatures can a Player level up.
'It means I have to get Special or Rare items to level up, and that will take longer than completing the Quest,' he thought, scratching his head that didn't itch.
Frustrated with the leveling-up issue, he stood up and started hitting the dummy with his wooden sword again.
***
After days of training and learning new knowledge, especially magic, he decided to leave.
Since he had learned how to drive, he decided to take a jeep that was no longer in use from the Sassi Hunter's equipment.
He actually wanted to use a motorcycle or a horse, considering the terrain he would travel through would be difficult for a car, but he couldn't bear to make Jagu run continuously throughout the journey.
And finally, after making many preparations, he gathered everything he thought he would need, and then they left Sassi.
They drove towards the Castle that Ash believed was Drogo's Castle. He didn't forget to repaint the jeep he would use to enter the Castle, covering the Sassi Hunters logo.
After four days of driving through the not-so-dense forest, they finally reached the riverbank opposite the Castle.
The wooden gate of the Castle was being lowered, and many people were coming in and out of the Castle.
Some soldiers dressed in black and white stood at the entrance, checking everyone who was coming in and out of the Castle.
Ash, a bit confused about what they were checking, directed his vehicle into the queue.
When his turn was almost up, he realized that the soldiers were only recording their information, and he confidently believed that he would be able to pass through the guards.
However, when he was asked about Jagu, he was a bit confused by their questions.
"Hello, what's your name? What's your player number?" asked one of the guards, holding a notebook and pen in his hand.
"My name is Ashborn Locke, and my player number is #23875," Ash replied, noting that there were at least ten guards stationed at the gate.
"Where are you from, and what is your purpose for coming to Drogo Castle?" the guard asked again.
Ash breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that this was indeed the place he intended to go, and replied, "I come from the sea over there," he said, pointing in the direction where he first entered the game.
"And I want to enter Drogo Castle because I want to experience life inside the Castle," he continued.
The guard noted everything Ash said, then pointed at Jagu with his pen, "And where did you get this big cat?"
Slightly flustered, Ash lied through his teeth, "He comes from around the tropical rainforest. I accidentally met him and saved him from some wild animals, and he has been following me ever since."
The guard observed Jagu, who was sitting quietly, his eyes darting around to watch the guard's movements.
"Wait here," he said to Ash.
Ash grew more tense and thought, 'Are they not used to seeing wild animals as pets? Then why did the people in Sassi not care?'
The guard walked over to the side of the gate, conversed with several other guards there, then took a piece of paper handed to him by the guard sitting there.
He returned and handed the paper to Ash, saying, "Sign the agreement for permission to bring your pet into the castle."
Ash nodded, and the guard walked behind him to check the people in the queue behind him.
He read the paper;
To visitors who wish to enter Drogo Castle, bringing pets of any kind, it is expected to comply with the rules outlined in the note provided by the guards at the entrance gate.
Therefore, please sign this letter as an agreement of your compliance with the rules of Drogo Castle.
Visitor's signature
(Sign here)
Ash took the pen from his Inventory and signed the letter. Then he handed it back to the guard who had returned to his place.
The guard checked Ash's signature and nodded. Then he handed him a small note containing all the rules of Drogo Castle and allowed him to enter.
With a sigh of relief, Ash drove his jeep into the Castle.
Slowly, because of the many pedestrians, he observed the state of the incredibly large castle.
The streets inside were filled with various types of vehicles, from cars to motorcycles, and even horses. However, everything was orderly as several soldiers directed traffic.
People walked along the sides of the streets, consisting of the old and young, even children.